When Your Journey is Interrupted

DELAYS MAY TAKE LONGER THAN EXPECTED

I really don't like detours when I'm trying to get somewhere - do you?

For one, I think it is the uncertainty that I will actually be able to maneuver through the detour route and still get where it is that I want to go.

And, secondly, it is simply an interruption to my planned path on my journey and I just don't like it to change unexpectedly like that!

It's especially hard when this detour is not on a trip traveled in an automobile or some other mode of transportation, but it's a detour in your planned journey (path) for your life!

I've talked about this before in past blogs and podcasts. As a matter of fact, I've done several little "mini-series" on this topic off and on over the history of this blog - just go back through and see what you can find.

But, you know what? It's TOUGH to live it, isn't it? Yeah, you know, the old, "Easier said than done" scenario.

Many of you know that I lost my job back mid-August of 2010. Purely unexpected but, at the same time, not unwelcomed. I was already trying to "plan a route" to where I could do so financially while I pursued my dream of my seminars with my "Future You University" concept.

Well, here I am now at the end of July 2011 and not a whole lot has changed. Oh, I have made attempts to get my seminar started but, quite honestly, it was ill-timed and I was not financially prepared to do it in the way I had planned. Too, other opportunities that I have looked at to try to see us through in the mean time just hasn't worked out. I am starting a new "job" but it will likely be another month before I see any income from it which is not good news right now.

Because of all of this, I stopped doing my podcast after losing my job last August because I didn't know where I was going to be and when and I knew I wouldn't be able to keep up with my daily schedule like before. I began it again earlier this year more for me than anything but discontinued it again because, quite honestly, I was having a hard time keeping MY OWN mental attitude where it needed to be.

Surprised?

Don't be! I don't think you'll ever find any situation (podcast or blog) where I said keeping a positive attitude even through tough times would be easy. Never. It's NOT!

But, I still have a choice. Give in, give up or GET UP and KEEP MOVING forward even though my path/journey has been redirected due to a detour.

Still easier said than done for sure.

So, I'm struggling big time! Financially, I'm lower than a pregnant ant's belly! And, on some days, the same can be said of my mental attitude. Yeah, that's right - I'm human.

Believe me, there have been days where I felt like giving up and, honestly, there are days that I DID give up temporarily.

That's the key. Make any such situations a TEMPORARY one.

Yes, I WILL still have my seminars but it will be later than I had planned since I had planned to be well involved in them at this point. But, I will continue on that path REGARDLESS of any detours that continue to come my way.

So, I encourage you to do the same. REGARDLESS.

I can - you can - WE can!

And, as you go along this detoured path...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

When Will YOUR Last Day Come?

What If?

This is being written on May 24, 2011 and, just in the past few days there have been big news stories about some things that HAVE happened and some big news stories about things that DIDN'T happen.

This past Saturday, according to one guy, was supposed to be the last day of this world's existence. Well, obviously, since I'm writing this article a few days later, it didn't happen. Lots of coverage of this prediction and lots of people panicking over what they needed to do before it was too late.

This past Sunday evening a horrific tornado hit the city of Joplin, Missouri. The pictures an images I have seen looks like a bomb was dropped on that city. Over 100 people are dead at this point with that amount expected to rise.

As a matter of fact, this Spring has been horrible in the area of terrible weather disasters such as other tornadoes that have killed hundreds in many different states and flooding affecting many hundreds, if not thousands, more.

So, the question comes to mind, "What IF today IS your last day on this earth?"

What then?

Here's the bottom line - we have no idea when that will be.

Regardless of what some self-proclaimed prophet says (the Bible clearly states that NO ONE knows) we don't know.

Even if you have been diagnosed with a terminal disease and you are given a few days to live, the doctors STILL don't know exactly when your last day will be.

And, when it comes to weather tragedies, we surely don't know.

I'm really not trying to be TOO somber in this article but all of this simply points to one main thought that I have tried to emphasize over the past couple of years -- TODAY is all we have!

TODAY.

Since it is so obvious that we have no idea when our last day will be, why don't we live TODAY as if it WERE our last?

We see all kinds of neat bumper stickers with phrases emphasizing such and even hear powerful songs sung that state what one would do if they knew their time was cut short. There are even movies about crossing things off of a list before one dies.

But, simply put, you have RIGHT NOW. You may not even have the rest of the day but you DO have the current moment.

Kind of brings a whole new perspective to the phrase, "live in the moment" doesn't it?

Just something to think about and perhaps something to help us live in such a way that, when "that time" comes we have no regrets.

Along with those thoughts, whatever you do, be sure to....

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

www.MichaelSpillman.com

Yup, I Need You!

No, not in a "mushy" way. Not in a "my heart aches when you're away" kind of way. Not in an "every time I look at the stars I think of you" kind of way.

But, regardless, I DO need YOU!

Simply put, here's the deal - I NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU! If you listen to my podcast or if you only read the blog - either way - I NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU!

It becomes hard after a period of time to keep putting positive information out there if you're not sure that anyone is really "listening" to what you are saying. And, the only way for me to know that is through FEEDBACK from you!

You can do this several ways:
1. leave comments right here on the blog
2. leave comments on the FYU Facebook fan page (www.Facebook.com/FutureYouUniversity)
3. leave comments via e-mail to me (mike@futureyouuniversity.com)
4. leave comments through the website (www.MichaelSpillman.com)

I really DO need to know that what I'm doing is getting out there. If not, I may just pull back for a while and focus on other avenues. So....let me know and let me know as soon as possible!

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

Your Personal Draft: Late Round Pick

7th Round Draft Pick - Peyton Hillis

If you want to see why I use Peyton Hillis as my "prime example" in talking about "late round" draft picks that have excelled then just do a little research on him. For one, notice that he was not drafted until the 7th round...the LAST round of the draft that year.

He was pretty frustrated to not be picked until then because, like most, he felt he was better than a 7th round draft pick. HE believe that about himself but, those in charge apparently felt differently.

He was drafted in the 2008 NFL draft and has played with two different teams. Even while with the Denver Broncos he began to turn heads with his punishing running attack and, this past year, now with the Cleveland Browns, he excelled!

Again, read up on him yourself and I think you'll be inspired and you'll like what you see. He is a very humble young man that counts himself as "blessed" (as you will hear him say many times).

So, what about YOU?

Are you one of those people that others around you said would never really amount to anything? Are you one that others have told to stop having such high hopes and aspirations? Are you one that has listened and has begun to believe this yourself?

If so, STOP LISTENING to "those" people! And, for sure, STOP BELIEVING what they have to say about you (or anything else for that matter).

WHAT DO YOU KNOW - BELIEVE - ABOUT YOURSELF?

Have you stopped trying and have you waved the white flag of surrender to your personal accomplishments that you dreamed about earlier in your life?

Hey listen, regardless of WHAT you are doing in your life right now as a "job" - it DOES NOT determine what you can accomplish in your life with the right mindset and attitude!

Does that sound like a bunch of "positive thinking mush"? Those that have tried to keep you down all of your life would probably want you to believe that it is.

IT IS NOT!

Peyton Hillis said that he wanted to prove everyone wrong and that he wanted to make the most of his opportunity. He has and I imagine he will continue to do so.

Now, what about you? Will YOU determine to stop listening to those that want to tear you down and will YOU determine to prove them wrong?

Will YOU make the most of YOUR opportunity?

Opportunity? Yeah, it's there ready for you to take it for a ride - the ride of your life!

So, how about it? It's up to you now, Mr. 7th Round Draft Pick.

As you take hold of the opportunity that is before you each and every day, be sure to always...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

www.MichaelSpillman.com

Your Personal Draft...Mid-Round Pick

Mid-Round...Is THAT Where YOU Belong?

That guy in the picture there is Ryan Mallett, former Arkansas Razorback football quarterback.

Why do I have him as the picture for today's topic? Because in the recent NFL Draft he wasn't drafted until the 3rd round which was unexpected.

Now, even though there are 7 rounds you could technically say that Mr. Mallet was not a "mid-round" pick. And, you'd be right.

However, his talent and ability is definitely worth more than a 3rd round pick. Why, then, did he not get selected until the 3rd round? "Off the field issues" is what they are called and a lot of NFL team owners and coaches want to stay as far away as possible from someone that might have problems with these AMPLIFIED "off the field issues" once getting into the NFL.

Am I picking on Ryan Mallett? Absolutely not! He now has something to prove (and he has said that himself) to a lot of people out there that overlooked him as an addition to his team. Will he? Only time will tell.

But, here's the deal...he'll have the OPPORTUNITY!

You see, for all of us, that's all we can really expect or ask for. An opportunity!

No matter who you are or what you do, YOU have an opportunity each and every day to better yourself and your position at whatever it is that you are doing.

EVERY DAY. OPPORTUNITY!

You may be one (like Mr. Mallett) that belongs in a higher position than where your currently find yourself. Maybe you are one that WAS in a higher position but, like we discussed yesterday, got distracted and lost some valuable ground. What are you doing about that TODAY?

Or maybe you are one that has always been considered "average". Your parents never pushed you much or expected you to do more than "average". And, because of that, you never really pushed yourself or expected much out of yourself other than "average".

WAKE UP!

Now, yes, I understand that you may be doing 100% where you are right now. And, if that is so, my hat is off to you and I also say, "keep up the good work!".

But, for many of you/us...we're NOT doing 100% where we find ourselves right now.

Hey, raise the bar of expectation a little bit and see what happens not only in YOUR life but also in the lives of everyone around you.

Yeah, really. Go ahead. Give it a try and see what happens.

Be DETERMINED that you are going to prove anyone that ever said you were average WRONG!

PROVE IT TO YOURSELF!

Separate yourself from the crowd and rise above the rest.

(Hey, where's my trumpet? I feel like I need to do the "charge" thing!)

But seriously. Whoever told you that you were average and that you never should expect more were likely average themselves and didn't want you to excel above and beyond them.

And, by the way....who told you that you had to listen to and believe them in the first place?

Think about all of this and share some of your thoughts on this and how it relates to your life or the lives of those around you. I'd love to hear from you.

But, until next time...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

www.MichaelSpillman.com